TV channels & antenna towers in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W21EF-D, 18 miles to the SSE.
Network channels in Oshkosh
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWFRV-TVCBS | 5 | 35 mi | 52° NE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| TLMWMEITelemundo | 31.6 | 35 mi | 52° NE | Good | Shawano, WI |
| NBCWGBA-TVNBC | 26 | 36 mi | 50° NE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| ABCWBAY-TVABC | 2 | 38 mi | 45° NE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| FOXWLUK-TVFox | 11 | 38 mi | 46° NE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| CWWCWFCW | 14 | 38 mi | 46° NE | Good | Suring, WI |
| TBNWWRS-TVTrinity | 52 | 41 mi | 179° S | Good | Mayville, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin has a population of about 66,600. Our map shows 15 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 4 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 11 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Green Bay, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Green Bay's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 2 (WBAY-TV), CBS on channel 5 (WFRV-TV), NBC on channel 26 (WGBA-TV), Fox on channel 11 (WLUK-TV), CW on channel 14 (WCWF), Telemundo on channel 31.6 (WMEI) and Trinity on channel 52 (WWRS-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal). 2 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Oshkosh
Point your antenna NE, at about 48°. The main network towers for Oshkosh sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WFRV-TV, WMEI and WGBA-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 35 miles northeast of Oshkosh (52° NE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Oshkosh at fair strength or better, 86% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Oshkosh, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Oshkosh
The farthest main network tower for Oshkosh is WLUK-TV (Fox), 38 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Oshkosh
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W21EF-DTranslator | 18 mi | 151° SSE | Fair | Fond Du Lac, WI |
| W30BU-DLow power | 36 mi | 50° NE | Poor | Green Bay, WI |
| WACY-TVFull power | 36 mi | 50° NE | Fair | Appleton, WI |
| WPNE-TVFull power | 38 mi | 45° NE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| WGBD-LDLow power | 38 mi | 46° NE | Weak | Green Bay, WI |
| W29ET-DTranslator | 50 mi | 270° W | Poor | Coloma, WI |
| W26EE-DLow power | 69 mi | 341° NNW | Poor | Wittenberg, WI |
| WMWI-LDLow power | 69 mi | 212° SSW | Poor | Verona, WI |
How Oshkosh compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Oshkosh ranks 261st of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 35 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
44% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Oshkosh: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 46° NE, the direction of WLUK-TV (Fox), 38 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- Expect around 10 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is ABC in Oshkosh, WI?
ABC is on channel 2 from WBAY-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles NE of Oshkosh. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Oshkosh, WI?
CBS is on channel 5 from WFRV-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles NE of Oshkosh. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Oshkosh, WI?
NBC is on channel 26 from WGBA-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles NE of Oshkosh. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Oshkosh, WI?
Fox is on channel 11 from WLUK-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles NE of Oshkosh. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Oshkosh, WI?
CW is on channel 14 from WCWF, broadcasting from 38 miles NE of Oshkosh. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Oshkosh?
15 transmitters within 70 miles of Oshkosh; around 10 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.
Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Oshkosh?
Point your antenna NE, at about 48°. The main network towers for Oshkosh sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Oshkosh?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Oshkosh?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Oshkosh?
Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.
TV channels in nearby Wisconsin cities
- Omro10 mi
- Neenah12 mi
- Menasha13 mi
- North Fond du Lac15 mi
- Harrison17 mi
- Appleton18 mi
- Fond du Lac18 mi
- Chilton19 mi
- Ripon19 mi
- Kimberly20 mi
- Berlin20 mi
- Little Chute21 mi
- Kaukauna22 mi
- Brillion26 mi
- Kiel26 mi
- New London27 mi
- Waupun29 mi
- Princeton31 mi
- Markesan31 mi
- Plymouth34 mi
- Silver Lake34 mi
- Cato35 mi
- Waupaca35 mi
- Manawa36 mi
More: all TV stations in Wisconsin · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Oshkosh; signal estimates ignore terrain.